Tyre Width Advice

[Keshan26]

Hi Guys 

 

Brand new to the world of cycling. I have a 2018 Momsen AL429. I need some advice on selecting some tyres to better deal with my weight. I am quite a heavy guy (150kg) and my Momsen comes with Vee Tires 2.10 wide tubeless ready tyres on Alex DP21 wheels. Currently i keep the pressures at between 2.50 and 3.00 bar but i am still getting significant tyre deformation when on the bike. This also makes pedaling a little more exhausting than maybe it should be. Do you guys think i would benefit from a wider tyre at the same pressure or should i try running the existing tyres at higher pressures ? I have no idea whether higher pressures would be safe though. Also, if you think wider tyres would help, what do you think is the widest i could fit to my Alex wheels ?

 

Thanks for the help

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Please don't take this as a sales pitch, but here's what you need to know:

 

Wider tyres will support your weight better than narrow ones, but at some point you'll end up with a tyre which is too wide for those rims and they'll squirm around under cornering load. If a tyre is too wide for the rim, it will have a light bulb cross-section and won't work as designed.

 

This page on the Stan's NoTubes website explains it nicely.

 

This article may help too.

 

The best thing you can do at over 100kg is invest in some wider rims, 25-30mm internal width. The wider rims will effectively spread the tyre beads apart, allowing the tyre sidewall to better support your weight and provide a much more stable ride.

 

Pairing these wider rims with 2.25 - 2.4" tyres with strong sidewalls, like Maxxis Ardent tyres, will greatly improve your stability, comfort and traction, while reducing rolling resistance at the same time.

 

Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have more questions or need a more detailed explanation.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Great advice on the wheels, Nick, but honestly - The suggestion of the Ardent as a tyre with "strong sidewalls" is a little left of the mark, IMO. 

 

OP - at 150kg you should be looking at something with Doubledown (Maxxis) Super Gravity (Schwalbe) GRID (Spez) or similar, DH level sidewall strength for your tyre casings. IMO the Maxxis Exo casing (which is the strongest the Ardent comes in) is not a viable option. 

 

The good news is that you can get a reasonable spread of tyres with these casings. My suggestion would be either the Spaz Slaughter 2.3 grid or the Maxxis Aggressor 2.3 Doubledown for the rear, and something a bit meatier for the front, also in doubledown or super gravity or grid. 

 

As Nick says, though, wider wheels will help with this. Wider wheels AND stronger tyres would be the best solution, though.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Great advice on the wheels, Nick, but honestly - The suggestion of the Ardent as a tyre with "strong sidewalls" is a little left of the mark, IMO. 

 

OP - at 150kg you should be looking at something with Doubledown (Maxxis) Super Gravity (Schwalbe) GRID (Spez) or similar, DH level sidewall strength for your tyre casings. IMO the Maxxis Exo casing (which is the strongest the Ardent comes in) is not a viable option. 

 

The good news is that you can get a reasonable spread of tyres with these casings. My suggestion would be either the Spaz Slaughter 2.3 grid or the Maxxis Aggressor 2.3 Doubledown for the rear, and something a bit meatier for the front, also in doubledown or super gravity or grid. 

 

As Nick says, though, wider wheels will help with this. Wider wheels AND stronger tyres would be the best solution, though.

 

You're right about the EXO casing, but I'm running the LUST version and it's STRONG. That said, maybe it's not available anymore?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

You're right about the EXO casing, but I'm running the LUST version and it's STRONG. That said, maybe it's not available anymore?

Haven't seen one for sale in a while, but I could be wrong. 

 

Just checked - it's only available in the 2.25 120TPI 29er. 

 

Even so, DD and SG & Grid are better options. 

[Odinson]

Good advice from Nick and Myles. 

 

You definitely need tyres with a stronger casing, considering your weight. Wider rims would help a lot, but the tyres should be the first step. 

 

Keep in mind that MTB tyres should always have a measure of deformation. That's where you get your grip from, but if you're flattening the tyre, then obviously you need to find a solution. 

[Butterbean]

I'm 115kgs and went from a combo of 17mm internal rims, and 2.1 tyres, to a combo of 25mm internal and 2.2 rear and 2.3 front..

 

The different is night and day.

 

Running about 2 bar and while it feels a little squidgy, it's amazing offroad and the combo gives me much more confidence everywhere - twisty stuff, fast descents, even looser rocky climbs...

 

Make the change.

 

Or get a fat bike... God I love my fat bike and never stress about stability and tyres.

[Spock]

It's unlikely that those wheels are going to last, regardless of the tyres.

 

But you can give wider tyres a try and see if it makes a difference, you can always put them on your new wheels should you need to replace the stock rims.

[RiverInTheRoad]

As you are new to cycling I would try and go for fast rolling tyres which will make getting places easier. I would suggest the Specialized Slaughter Grid 2.3 for your rear and a Specialized Butcher Grid 2.3 for your front tire, alternatively. Slaughter front and rear.

 

Also have a wheelbuilder build you some suitable wheels for your weight. You can keep the old hubs. You will unfortunately mangle those Alex rims quite easily. DT Swiss rims are quite strong and there are many options.

 

If your budget does not allow for new rims a tyre up to 2.3 wide should still work on your rims. I wouldn't go wider though.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

As you are new to cycling I would try and go for fast rolling tyres which will make getting places easier. I would suggest the Specialized Slaughter Grid 2.3 for your rear and a Specialized Butcher Grid 2.3 for your front tire, alternatively. Slaughter front and rear.

 

Also have a wheelbuilder build you some suitable wheels for your weight. You can keep the old hubs. You will unfortunately mangle those Alex rims quite easily. DT Swiss rims are quite strong and there are many options.

 

If your budget does not allow for new rims a tyre up to 2.3 wide should still work on your rims. I wouldn't go wider though.

As far as I know, DT Swiss rims aren't available in the aftermarket in SA at the moment.

 

I'd recommend the WTB Frequency Team i25 or i29 rims.

[Fat Boab]

Hope this isn't a hijack, but as there seem to be some knowledgeable types on here: if you were running a gravel bike, and weighed 80kg, how wide could you go with 15mm (internal) tubed clinchers?

 

I know there are charts around but if you were coming at this from  MTB angle, what's your feel?

[Butterbean]

Hope this isn't a hijack, but as there seem to be some knowledgeable types on here: if you were running a gravel bike, and weighed 80kg, how wide could you go with 15mm (internal) tubed clinchers?

 

I know there are charts around but if you were coming at this from MTB angle, what's your feel?

I wouldn't go wider than 35c but that's just me.

[Odinson]

As you are new to cycling I would try and go for fast rolling tyres which will make getting places easier. I would suggest the Specialized Slaughter Grid 2.3 for your rear and a Specialized Butcher Grid 2.3 for your front tire, alternatively. Slaughter front and rear.

 

Also have a wheelbuilder build you some suitable wheels for your weight. You can keep the old hubs. You will unfortunately mangle those Alex rims quite easily. DT Swiss rims are quite strong and there are many options.

 

If your budget does not allow for new rims a tyre up to 2.3 wide should still work on your rims. I wouldn't go wider though.

 

I wouldn't opt for the Butcher (if I were OP), but rather the Ground Control in GRID casing. 

[Traveler]

Total agreement with Odinson. I'd go for Spez Ground Control GRID in 2.35. Rolls really well, has the GRID casing. Probably one of the top 3 best tyres I have ever experienced on sand.

[Keshan26]

Thanks for the all the replys. Thinking of going both with wider rims and wider tyres. Any recommendations as to who would be a good wheelbuilder in Jhb/Pta ? Got a costing from Nick but would like to explore all the options before I decide.

 

Also, any online stores that stock Spez tyres?

[Butterbean]

Thanks for the all the replys. Thinking of going both with wider rims and wider tyres. Any recommendations as to who would be a good wheelbuilder in Jhb/Pta ? Got a costing from Nick but would like to explore all the options before I decide.

 

Also, any online stores that stock Spez tyres?

Just do yourself a favour and head to summit cycles in midrand. He'll take proper care of you, and as a heavy rider, will know the best way to build you a reliable wheelset.